Re: E2 blood test results came in today

[Guest guest]

Hi Todd,

Your E2 level is good at 39 pg/mL (Some folks here use an " optimal " range of

30 - 40). That doesn't help much, because your T is so low.

Are you still working with your family doc? It would be better for you to be

seeing a doc who's knowledgeable on male hormone issues. Finding that doc

is your next step. He/she should know enough to tell you the next step after

that.

Bruce

> My E2 blood tests came back today. Here is a summary and tests

> listed below:

>

> I'm a 40 year old male.

>

> SYMPTOMS: Tired, lethargic, anxiety, depression, lower libido, foggy

> thought, social isolation (agoraphobic symptoms), weight gain.

>

> MEDICATIONS: Have tried but not currently (for depression /

> agoraphobia) Paxil, Effexor, Lexapro, Wellbutrin. Currently taking a

> low dose of Strattera.

>

> BLOOD TESTS: Tests from Lab Corp of America, ranges follow values

> below

>

> Past Tests: (Total, Free T tested 3 different times)

> Total T: 126, 185, 218 ( 241-827 )

> Free T: 4.67, 8.78, 9.67 ( 5.0-21.0 )

> Prolactin: 8.6 ( 2.7-16.9 )

> FSH: 3.5 ( 1.6-11.0 )

> LH: 2.2 ( 0.8-6.1 )

>

> Test Results From Today:

> Cortisol: 12.7 ( 6.0 - 28.0 )

> HCG-Quantitative Beta: <5

> Estradiol (E2): 39 ( <54 )

>

>

> I have not discussed the results with my doctor yet. Is an E2 level

> of 39 too high? Of course it falls in the " normal " range of the lab

> sheet. Given this info, what is the best next step, a Chlomid

> Stimululation test? I've have been and still am reading a lot on the

> site but there's a lot to absorb.

>

> Thanks for any tips/advice,

> Todd

[Guest guest]

Your E2 is irrelevant at this point. You need to get your T into the

upper normal range (600 to 900) and then worry about E2. See my primer

articles in the files section for some approaches for raising your T.

E2 blood test results came in today

> My E2 blood tests came back today. Here is a summary and tests

> listed below:

>

> I'm a 40 year old male.

>

> SYMPTOMS: Tired, lethargic, anxiety, depression, lower libido, foggy

> thought, social isolation (agoraphobic symptoms), weight gain.

>

> MEDICATIONS: Have tried but not currently (for depression /

> agoraphobia) Paxil, Effexor, Lexapro, Wellbutrin. Currently taking a

> low dose of Strattera.

>

> BLOOD TESTS: Tests from Lab Corp of America, ranges follow values

> below

>

> Past Tests: (Total, Free T tested 3 different times)

> Total T: 126, 185, 218 ( 241-827 )

> Free T: 4.67, 8.78, 9.67 ( 5.0-21.0 )

> Prolactin: 8.6 ( 2.7-16.9 )

> FSH: 3.5 ( 1.6-11.0 )

> LH: 2.2 ( 0.8-6.1 )

>

> Test Results From Today:

> Cortisol: 12.7 ( 6.0 - 28.0 )

> HCG-Quantitative Beta: <5

> Estradiol (E2): 39 ( <54 )

>

>

> I have not discussed the results with my doctor yet. Is an E2 level

> of 39 too high? Of course it falls in the " normal " range of the lab

> sheet. Given this info, what is the best next step, a Chlomid

> Stimululation test? I've have been and still am reading a lot on the

> site but there's a lot to absorb.

>

> Thanks for any tips/advice,

> Todd

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi again Todd,

Phil's message (#17771) reminds me there are some open, trainable doctors.

You've said you have a great relationship with your doc, so that may be the

way to go. Provided he's ready, willing and able. Now that I think about it, he

could rapidly learn more about male hormone issues than my last 2 endos

ever knew.

So your next step could be the Clomid stimulation test you mentioned. I've

never had one, so you'll need more than my opinion.

Best,

Bruce

> > My E2 blood tests came back today. Here is a summary and tests

> > listed below:

> >

> > I'm a 40 year old male.

> >

> > SYMPTOMS: Tired, lethargic, anxiety, depression, lower libido, foggy

> > thought, social isolation (agoraphobic symptoms), weight gain.

> >

> > MEDICATIONS: Have tried but not currently (for depression /

> > agoraphobia) Paxil, Effexor, Lexapro, Wellbutrin. Currently taking a

> > low dose of Strattera.

> >

> > BLOOD TESTS: Tests from Lab Corp of America, ranges follow values

> > below

> >

> > Past Tests: (Total, Free T tested 3 different times)

> > Total T: 126, 185, 218 ( 241-827 )

> > Free T: 4.67, 8.78, 9.67 ( 5.0-21.0 )

> > Prolactin: 8.6 ( 2.7-16.9 )

> > FSH: 3.5 ( 1.6-11.0 )

> > LH: 2.2 ( 0.8-6.1 )

> >

> > Test Results From Today:

> > Cortisol: 12.7 ( 6.0 - 28.0 )

> > HCG-Quantitative Beta: <5

> > Estradiol (E2): 39 ( <54 )

> >

> >

> > I have not discussed the results with my doctor yet. Is an E2 level

> > of 39 too high? Of course it falls in the " normal " range of the lab

> > sheet. Given this info, what is the best next step, a Chlomid

> > Stimululation test? I've have been and still am reading a lot on the

> > site but there's a lot to absorb.

> >

> > Thanks for any tips/advice,

> > Todd

[Guest guest]

On Wed, 15 Sep 2004 22:53:32 -0000, you wrote:

>My E2 blood tests came back today. Here is a summary and tests

>listed below:

>

>I'm a 40 year old male.

>

>SYMPTOMS: Tired, lethargic, anxiety, depression, lower libido, foggy

>thought, social isolation (agoraphobic symptoms), weight gain.

>

>MEDICATIONS: Have tried but not currently (for depression /

>agoraphobia) Paxil, Effexor, Lexapro, Wellbutrin. Currently taking a

>low dose of Strattera.

>

>BLOOD TESTS: Tests from Lab Corp of America, ranges follow values

>below

>

>Past Tests: (Total, Free T tested 3 different times)

> Total T: 126, 185, 218 ( 241-827 )

> Free T: 4.67, 8.78, 9.67 ( 5.0-21.0 )

> Prolactin: 8.6 ( 2.7-16.9 )

> FSH: 3.5 ( 1.6-11.0 )

> LH: 2.2 ( 0.8-6.1 )

>

>Test Results From Today:

> Cortisol: 12.7 ( 6.0 - 28.0 )

> HCG-Quantitative Beta: <5

> Estradiol (E2): 39 ( <54 )

>

>

>I have not discussed the results with my doctor yet. Is an E2 level

>of 39 too high? Of course it falls in the " normal " range of the lab

>sheet. Given this info, what is the best next step, a Chlomid

>Stimululation test? I've have been and still am reading a lot on the

>site but there's a lot to absorb.

>

>Thanks for any tips/advice,

>Todd

You've almost certainly got secondary hypo-g.

Read http://www.aace.com/clin/guidelines/hypogonadism.pdf

for information.

Your E2 is probably okay but will likely go up when you start T

therapy. You might think about starting Zinc supplements now. To get

ahead of it a little bit.

Also you should ask for a ferritin test to make sure you're condition

is not caused by high iron.

- - - -

Just another albino black sheep

[Guest guest]

Bruce / Phil,

Yes I do have a good relationship with my doc. Last week I took in

several printouts from docs in the files section and told him all

about this group, the people and experiences they've had, the

information, etc. He was very interested and open to the

information. He started asking me questions about which treatments

people are getting, etc. He took the info I brought in and was happy

to have it. He's doing more research himself. It's pretty obvious

he's not an expert in the area but he really wants to learn more. He

said he would like to try and treat me but if he has any problems or

is unsure he will send me to Iowa City to an endo. He definitely

does not have the " I'm the doc and that's just an Internet group so I

know what's best " attitude. I'm pretty comfortable with him so with

the info here and his desire to learn about it, I think I'll give him

first shot.

retrogrouch,

Interesting you mentioned iron. I actually do have hemochromatosis

(iron overload). At least I am positive from a gene test. My iron was

high for a while so I gave blood every week for six weeks. Had to

give four more weeks six months later. My iron has been ok for about

a year now. I have it checked every three months. We caught it pretty

early. It was discovered through a U of Iowa Dr who was treating my

father for cancer. He recommended I get tested. I've never had

symptoms from it. I called my gastro Dr about low T when I read it is

a cause in the AACE hypo guidelines doc. His nurse called back and

said he did not think it was related. I'm keeping it in mind though

and I pointed it out to my doc.